Ever hear the warning ‘don’t swim or surf after it’s rained’?
Runoff Rain Water
This is because of the surface runoff in rainwater, created by urbanization. This runoff is a major source of flooding and water pollution in urban communities worldwide. Surface street run off waters are dumping serious amounts of bacteria, human and animal waste overflow and hundreds of pounds of plastic waste into the surf. Sewage pipes are allowed to overflow and discharge into rivers and the sea during storms. Yet, many people are torn between big waves, and polluted waters.
Many public officials try and make light of this issue. Recently a spokesperson for Los Angeles County stated that the debris we see after a storm does not pose a threat to the public. These same people are convinced that during these storms, dangerous sharks are sucked out of the water and tossed about, thus driving them away from the shores.
After it rains everyone should avoid entering any water especially near stream mouths, river mouths and channels. The fast-moving water not only contains overflowing sewer water but becomes inundated with a lot of abundant amounts of trash washing off the streets, including dead animals, stream fish weakened by exposure to salt water, and rubbish. After the rain these flooded murky waters attract small fish that come to feed. These small bait fish will eventually attract hungry sharks browsing to feed, that have come back towards the shallow waters. And when that happens, the low visibility, due to murky water make it more difficult for sharks to determine whether your fish or human and is known to increase the risk of people getting bitten by sharks.
Health Hazards
Ocean water contaminated with sewage, storm run-off and oil carry bacteria, parasites, and viruses, which can cause a variety of diseases. The murky waters contain high levels of bacteria that could make swimmers sick. Research is being conducted throughout the world on the dangers of rain water runoffs and the dangers of surfing or swimming during or after a rain.
Studies have found that when surfers and swimmers come in contact with sewage-polluted water they contract a wide variety of illnesses. Gastroenteritis or GI, is spread by the ingestion of bacteria pathogens in fecal-contaminated water. Symptoms are cramps vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache, nausea, headache, and fever. Other disorders causes by the polluted water include hepatitis, respiratory illness, and ear, nose, and throat problems, giardiasis, amoebic dysentery, skin rashes, and pink eye, and ear infections.
Swallowing or inhaling the polluted water through your nose or mouth or being in the water with an open sore after a rain will almost definitely cause an infection. Streptococcus bacteria also known as Strep can cause serious infections and even kill you.
As well oil carries with it bacteria, parasites, and viruses, which can cause a variety of diseases. This “toxic cocktail” of pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals and other pollutants can definitely affect your body as well.
That said, it is best to avoid polluted waters for 12 to 72 hours following heavy storms. After 3 days water levels typically return to what’s considered safe.
If you are still willing to sacrifice your health after reading this, consider moving away from runoff areas, and stay out of murky or discolored water. If you see lots of leaves and plastic bottles floating around, then get out of the water. Storm water can look clean and still have a very high concentration of disease carrying pathogens and bacteria.
It is up to you to keep yourself and family safe. Remember you will not normally see signs posted, warning the public of dangerous water. In Orange County the Department of Health has been quoted as saying, “We just assume all surfers know that the water is polluted after it rains.
California’s beautiful State Parks encompass over 900 miles of ocean coastlines plus thousands of miles of reservoir, lake and river shorelines. Thousands of lifeguards protect these water sources, to ensure the safety of the 50 million people, that travel to these parks each year. California’s State Parks employ around 600 seasonal lifeguards each summer. And each of these lifeguards have completed lifeguard training, certification and testing programs. Note: These programs are not swim classes, they can be seriously physically and mentally challenging.
Understanding What Type of Lifeguard, You Want to Be
Lifeguard training is job specific, that said there are the following:
Pool Lifeguards – areresponsible for public and private pools
Aquatic Attraction Lifeguards – watch over waterparks or pools that offer attractions, and a have a maximum water depth of 5 feet or less.
Waterfront Lifeguards – prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas found at public parks, resorts, summer camps, campgrounds etc. life lakes, bays or rivers.
Beach Lifeguards – guard in all areas of open water with surf.
Qualifications
Typically, agencies allow you to be 15 years of age, on or before the final day of the lifeguard training course, but most expect you to be 16. As well as possess a valid driver’s license, with a good driving record, at the time of appointment. Candidates must have the ability to read and write English and have no felony convictions.
The biggest and most important qualification is you must have the physical strength and endurance necessary to rescue a struggling victim in the water.
As well all candidates must be able to detect a struggling victim in the water by having 20/20 corrected vision, and 20/40 uncorrected vision, along with passing a hearing test.
Lifeguard Certification
Obtaining a lifeguard position is not an easy task. Everyone must attend lifeguard courses that teach you the skills needed to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies. Participants will be trained and certified in CPR for the Professional Rescuer (CPRO), and First Aid care for injuries and sudden illness until EMS (emergency services) take over.
You will also practice using life-saving flotation devices like rescue tubes to help struggling swimmers. You will be properly trained in using back boards to help move people who may have injured their spines, and CPR barrier devices called face shields. Face shields are placed over the victim’s mouth during CPR, to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases via bodily fluids. Pool guards will also be taught how to communicate with a whistle while on duty.
Lifeguard Certification Cost
No matter the type of lifeguarding you choose, you must pass job specific certification classes. The American Red Cross, National Aquatic Safety, and the YMCA provide training courses for non-surf guards. Lifeguard training can cost anywhere from $125-$300 and can last from 21 hours-40 hours. Note: state, county and city lifeguard agencies provide their own training programs.
Lastly, everyone will be administered a qualification appraisal interview.
Lifeguard Testing
You will need to pass a job specific written test, as well as a timed swim test. These tests and trainings are to ensure that you are able to provide beach and pool safety, enforce city ordinance laws, and learn how and when to prepare and file reports. Note: Lifeguard testing and tryouts differ between states and agencies, and some begin their testing as early as February, so they can spend their Spring Break doing more intense certification training.
Lifeguard Recertification
It is best not let your lifeguard certification expire, or you will have to repeat the entire process again. Lifeguard retesting is designed to inform you of the latest and most up to date lifeguarding techniques, to keep the people around you safe. Most lifeguard certifications only last one to five years.
If lifeguarding is still interesting to you, then start preparing now. Get in the water; work on your swim strokes and endurance. Next up in this series, “what to expect at lifeguard tryouts”.
Millions of visitors and locals hit the beaches, lakes, rivers and pools each year. But sometimes we need a little help, and there are lifeguards in place to do just that. No matter what kind of lifeguard you are, your one number task is not rescuing people, instead your main duty is to prevent and protect the public from getting into a dangerous situation in the first place. As a lifeguard, you are constantly looking for potential danger, and your job is to warn people before that danger becomes an issue.
Surveillance, Emergency Care, Maintenance Duties
Lifeguards are responsible for keeping swimmers’ safe, and must be able to intervene in dangerous situations. During lifeguard training, lifeguards learn to identify emergency situations quickly.
Lifeguards caution people against using unsafe areas, or using illegal conduct, such as drinking or fighting. That means as a lifeguard you must be able to remain calm in all situations, if you panic or show fear the victim or the trouble maker will know it.
Beach Lifeguards
Beach lifeguards will warn people about rip currents, remind parents that waves will knock their children down, and to keep your loved ones within view. Beach lifeguards must be proficient in using two-way radios for contact, and coordinate activities between the different emergency rescue units. Beach lifeguards also have to maintain daily information on weather and beach conditions.
Beach lifeguards are constantly scanning the water in a similar pattern as a pool lifeguard, but they have a much larger surface to cover, and can rarely see below the water, so it is important to keep the beach lifeguard vigilant. Most facilities frequently rotate beach lifeguards from station to station to help them stay fresh and alert, and to offer breaks from surveillance responsibilities. Beach lifeguards, as well as pool lifeguards must be distraction-free, that means no cell phones and other items that take their eyes off the water.
Pool Lifeguards
Pool lifeguards keep patrons’ safe around and in the pool, from reminding people to walk, so they avoid slip and fall injuries, to stopping rough housing. They also teach swim lessons, and encourage things like the buddy system to keep you safe. Beach lifeguards supervise the use of water slides, and diving boards (if applicable), as well as pool maintenance, such as checking the swimming pools chlorine and pH levels.
Pool lifeguards scan the water, just like beach lifeguards do, looking for swimmers in trouble. They are trained to make a scanning pattern, by sweeping their eyes side to side or up and down looking at sections of the zone they are responsible for. This scanning method will happen every 10 seconds. It is suggested that they change their posture, position, and pattern every five minutes to keep them aware.
Both Beach and Pool Lifeguards
Provide emergency care and treatment such as CPR, and or use equipment like using spine boards and rescue tubes, as required until the arrival of EMTs. This year in particular beach lifeguards have had to administer first aid for stingray stings, using portable stingray kits.
Both lifeguard types perform various maintenance duties, as directed, to maintain a clean and safe facility.
Both lifeguard types will prepare daily activity reports.
Now that you understand some of the day to day duties of a lifeguard, our next posts will cover what it takes to get through lifeguard training, followed by lifeguard certification and testing, and ending with what to expect at lifeguard tryouts. Once this series is complete, you will have all the information you need to make an advised decision on whether or not becoming a lifeguard is right for you.
How can they do it with no wetsuit? How can people will themselves to take off their clothes and get into frigid water? Are they crazy?
Cold water, cold weather and cold bodies, nothing stops the true watermen. Lifeguards and Coast Guards must perform dangerous cold-water – sometimes even icy – winter rescues and participate in winter try-outs and practice rescues all year long. As well, tri-athletes, competitors and adventurous individuals frequently brave the frigid waters.
Sometimes a wetsuit won’t work or doesn’t make sense depending on the activity or sport involved. According to a longtime friend, watermen and professional California State lifeguard, a wetsuit just doesn’t make sense, “if you want to get to the water in 5 to 10 seconds”. In some sports and competitions, a wetsuit isn’t worn unless absolutely necessary because it slows you down and restricts range of motion, both inside and outside the water.
So how do Watermen enter the bitter cold water to swim, sail, kayak, ride, spearfish, dive or do a multitude of other sports without hesitation, you ask; well here is how.
Keeping warm in cold water comes down to wearing the right protective layers such as compression shorts and a long-sleeved rashguard. It really helps to acclimate to the water temp, but that’s not always applicable/possible. Lifeguards going out on an emergency rescue don’t have time to squeeze into a wetsuit. Although watermen in a sailboat, kayak or SUP aren’t inside the water, the Watermen compression shorts will block the bitter wind and splashes to prevent stiffening muscles and even cramps.
Cover Your Upper Body
Watermen yearn for warmth without losing mobility or speed. Covering your body is the key to cold water performance (& survival!). Cover your upper torso with a rashguard. A rashguard holds a little heat close to your body and blocks constant bouts of cold water. It keeps the muscles warm to prevent cramps and muscle weariness, and helps with muscle support. They also help prevent abrasions caused from boards, life vests or wetsuits. Original Watermen rashguards allow a full range of motion for paddling or swimming, while guaranteeing rash free protection because they’re built with breathable, soft, 4-way stretchy AquaFast Extra Life Lycra and low-profile flat-locked seams. They come in short or long sleeves.
Another way to stay warm is by wearing surf shirts, which are similar rashguards but looser fitting. Our rashguards and surf shirts are hydrophobic, quick drying and water repellant. Layer the rashguard or surf shirt with a wetsuit, dry suit or a survival suit.
We also make these for your little ones. Rashguards and surf shirts will keep your child from suffering blue lips after swimming. Not only will it keep your kids warm, but also provide sun protection UPF 50+. The surf shirts are made with special looser fitting fabric giving kids a t-shirt like feel. No more rashes from boogie boards or sand. Note: surf shirts are made with chlorine-block material making them great for swimming pools.
Cover the Lower Half
Watermen never forget the lower half of their body, and Watermen compression shorts are their go-to. Wear these amphibious men’s compression shorts on their own or use them as boardshort liners since they slide easily under almost anything.
Not all compression shorts are made the same. Our compression shorts are made to be used in the water as well as on land, and they are perfect for people with active lifestyles. These low-drag compression shorts streamline your body, shaving time off your rescues and races. The tight-fit compression offers more benefits in addition to extra support and warmth. Compression shorts boost athletic performance by improving blood flow which helps reduce muscle fatigue and promote faster muscle recovery.
Are there compression shorts for children? Our “junior”-sized compression shorts range from small to large, so your child no longer has to worry about sand gathering in their cotton underwear leaving them wet and cold, and/or causing rashes.
*Bonus*: if you are a year-round lifeguard or want to get serious in a year-round water sport, you may want to consider neoprene socks (& hoods). Exposure to cold water often results in a throbbing feeling, but having neoprene on your feet allows you to slowly adjust to the temperature without any painful annoyance. Even professional racers use neoprene socks, though it is suggested to take them off once your body has adjusted to the current water temperature.
ACCLIMATE when Possible
If you’re exercising or competing inside the water, it’s really helpful to acclimate your body to the water temps before you go 100%. When you first dive in keep your body moving with swift/quick movements and it will get used to the cold. Give yourself minimum of 10-15 minutes to fully warm-up before hitting full throttle. Unless you’ve practiced cold water entries, it’s best not to dive, jump or run into the water until your body has warmed up and adjusted.
So, stay warm in cold water with Watermen gear! At Original Watermen, we back our products as being the best for creating a feeling of a warm water environment in the most frigid water, and making the highest quality apparel even for the harshest of winter months.
Baja California Mexico is a surfers paradise but also a brutally harsh environment for humans to survive in. Adventures in Baja, away from the main towns, are not for the air conditioning hotel going types. Dirt is everywhere, cacti are everywhere, and there is no fresh water to speak of. No wonder it hasn’t been developed. Traveling in this dusty land requires street smarts, survival instinct, and experience. You will most likely need two of everything because Baja giveth and Baja taketh away. Expect to get lost, and expect to get stuck, but most of all, expect an epic adventure. The following is a list of some of the essentials I like to bring with me when exploring the remote reaches of this barren land.
1) Full size spare tire– Although there are llanteras, or tire shops in English, it is a necessity to have a full sized spare when searching for that remote point break. I have guys get stuck fifty miles from the main paved road and I have had to tell them, “Sorry. Best of luck as there is nothing I can do. I will tell the next campo owner.” Note: It could be days until the word travels down the road and a tire guy comes to help you.
Repair kits help and so do compressors, but they are both useless if you shred a tire.
2) Water– It is hot and it is dry. It’s a desert, so this should go without saying, but bring twice the water you think you will need for your trip, including enough water for cooking and cleaning.
3) Food– While a lot of old Baja lizards don’t bring ice or coolers on their multi week or month adventures, it is possible to bring refrigerated goods. Let them enjoy their warm beer and rice dinners. The new technology in coolers allows you to keep block ice for well over a week at a time. Just keep the cooler out of the sun by hanging your boardshorts on it. There are few things better than a cold beer after an all-day surf session.
Food should be easy to prepare and able to survive a bumpy truck ride. Sealed packages of non-refrigerated chorizo and a few eggs make a great easy breakfast. Bring a lot of tortillas and anything else that doesn’t require a tremendous amount of water to cook. But if you forget tortillas I suggest getting them fresh there! If you are camping near a local fish camp, you can usually buy fish off the locals for super cheap, and even pay them to take you fishing when the surf gets flat. I have seen guys paddle out to shrimp boats offshore and buy a kilo bag (2 pounds) of shrimp for 20 U.S. dollars.
Bring a lot of food, but don’t go overboard. Plan your meals. Water and food are some of the heaviest items and take up most of the space in your vehicle.
4) Shovels– Even four-wheel drive vehicles get stuck. Plus, you will need this to bury your poop. It’s a smart idea to dig a hole deep enough, so the coyotes wont dig it up again. Go the bathroom as far away from where others are camping as you safely can. It is sad when you drive all that way and see toilet paper scattered everywhere in the bushes behind camp.
5) Lighting- Solar lights are the way to go. There is no shortage of sun in Baja. The company Luci makes a great light that compacts into almost nothing, but is quite bright as a canopy light. Make sure everyone in your camp has a good headlamp. It can be quite annoying to hold a flashlight while cooking.
6) Shade- Having shade and battling the wind is a tough egg to crack. Pop up type tents are easily blown away, so bring lots of rope and stakes to hold them down. Be prepared for the wind to switch without warning. Baja is almost always windy.
Note: your shade structures also make a convenient place to hang a surf shirt or rashguard. The sun and sand are relentless and unless you are a scorpion or reptile you will shrivel up and go crazy if you can’t get out of the elements some way or another.
7) Shoes- Bring a few pairs of sandals and some shoes or boots. Your feet will thank you. Make sure you put them out of reach of coyotes, they are known to go through your trash and take shoes in the night.
8) Sun Protection– Bring a good hat like a snapback and lots of sunscreen. I suggest bringing SOLRX. And bring an extra pair of sunglasses.
9) Bug spray – For certain rare areas near fresh water. They are relentless.
10) First aid- The basics, and know how to use them, and where the closest real hospitals are. Fin cuts are no joke down there. They are trip enders.
But far worse are stings from Sting Rays, which are relentless in Baja, so I suggest a portable sting ray kit as well.
11) Insurance- Get good Mexican insurance for your vehicle, it is required and will get you out some serious trouble if you do crash or get pulled over. Note: You can easily purchase this insurance right before crossing the border.
I hope this list helps, as these are just a few items you should have in Baja, anytime of the year. Also, please know, that this list could go on and on, so remember to be prepared for everything and anything, including some of the most incredible morning sunrises over the ocean.
warning ‘don’t swim or surf after it’s rained’?
California’s beautiful State Parks encompass over 900 miles of ocean coastlines plus thousands of miles of reservoir, lake and river shorelines. Thousands of lifeguards protect these water sources, to ensure the safety of the 50 million people, that travel to these parks each year. California’s State Parks employ around 600 seasonal lifeguards each summer. And each of these lifeguards have completed lifeguard training, certification and testing programs. Note: These programs are not swim classes, they can be seriously physically and mentally challenging.
So, stay warm in cold water with Watermen gear! At Original Watermen, we back our products as being the best for creating a feeling of a warm water environment in the most frigid water, and making the highest quality apparel even for the harshest of winter months.